New guidelines were announced by the Centre today evening handing relief out to persons who are looking at travelling abroad for work, students travelling abroad for education and athletes participating in international tournaments outside India.

The government has announced that Passports of all persons falling in the above categories will be linked to their Vaccination certificates. Further, such persons can avail their second dose of COVISHIELD vaccination after the mandatory 28 days. These measures were announced as a part of the new regulations for vaccination.

This facility, however, will be applicable for those who undertake international travel from India for the above specified purposes before 31 August.

The amended rules state that the mere mention of COVISHIELD as vaccine type is sufficient to facilitate their travel abroad. No other entries are required.

Central Government has clarified that COVISHIELD (base Oxford’s AstraZaneca), produced by Serum Institute has been approved by DGCI and is the only vaccine in India currently approved by WHO as of 3 June.

States and Union Territories have been instructed to establish the procedures in each district for facilitating permission for the administration of such second dose of COVISHIELD.